The 55th Annual LA Pride Parade, held on June 8, 2025, in the heart of West Hollywood, proved that Southern California continues to be a beacon of hope, celebration, and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. This iconic parade, one of the largest and most influential in the world, celebrated the theme “Unstoppable Together,” recognizing both the remarkable strides made in LGBTQ+ rights and the work still needed to achieve full equality for all.
A Historic Milestone for LA Pride
Founded in 1970, the LA Pride Parade has long been a symbol of visibility, celebration, and resilience for LGBTQ+ individuals. It was just a year after the Stonewall riots, a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history, that the first Pride event in Los Angeles was held. What began as a small march of 300 participants has blossomed into a globally recognized event, drawing over 140,000 attendees in 2025.
This year’s LA Pride was particularly historic, as it also marked the five-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage across the United States. The parade was a powerful reminder of both the triumphs and struggles within the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Spotlight on Advocacy and Political Engagement
While LA Pride has long been known for its festive atmosphere and colorful floats, the 2025 edition emphasized the political aspects of Pride. Local activists, civil rights organizations, and community leaders used the event to highlight ongoing challenges, including the rising tide of anti-transgender legislation and discriminatory bills being proposed across several states.
“The fight for equality is far from over,” said Mayor Karen Bass, who attended the parade as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. “We’ve made incredible progress in the last few decades, but we must continue pushing for inclusive healthcare, trans rights, and protections against discrimination.”
Alongside the celebration, LA Pride hosted numerous events that focused on political engagement, including workshops on lobbying, voter registration drives, and advocacy panels. “Pride should be a call to action, not just a party,” said Sasha Stevens, a local activist. “It’s about using our visibility to advocate for those whose rights are under attack.”
Grand Marshals and Community Leaders
This year’s LA Pride Parade was headlined by Niecy Nash and her wife Jessica Betts, who were chosen as the Grand Marshals in recognition of their contributions to LGBTQ+ visibility. Both Nash and Betts, who made history as one of the first high-profile Black queer couples to marry publicly, used the platform to address issues affecting Black LGBTQ+ communities and racial justice.
“We’re here to celebrate our love and remind everyone that love is love—no matter who you are,” said Nash in an emotional speech. “But we also know that too many of our brothers and sisters are still fighting for the basic right to exist as their true selves. We will continue the fight.”
Alongside the parade, the LA Pride Festival featured performances by major artists, including Ricky Martin, who returned for a special performance in “LA Pride in the Park.” Other highlights included George Takei’s keynote address, which focused on the intersectionality of LGBTQ+ rights and racial justice.
The Growing Importance of Intersectionality
This year, more than ever, Pride celebrations in Los Angeles showcased the importance of intersectionality—the recognition that race, class, gender, and sexuality are all interconnected and influence each other. One of the standout moments in the parade was the inclusion of trans and non-binary voices, with organizations like the Transgender Equality Project leading the charge for trans visibility in both the parade and the festival.
Dr. James Bennett, a professor of social justice studies at UCLA, moderated a panel on the history of Black queer activism. “Pride cannot be just about celebrating our victories; we must also acknowledge those who have been left behind or silenced,” he explained. “The struggle for trans rights, racial justice, and gender equality is ongoing, and we must amplify all voices within our community.”
The focus on intersectionality also resonated at smaller Pride events held throughout the city, including in neighborhoods like Boyle Heights and South LA. These grassroots Pride celebrations emphasized the importance of inclusion, particularly for those living at the intersections of multiple marginalized identities.
Pride, Then and Now: A Reflection on the Fight for LGBTQ+ Rights
Pride Month, and particularly the LA Pride Parade, has always been a reflection of the political landscape. It was once a protest—a call for recognition and equality in the face of widespread discrimination. In the early 1970s, Pride parades were small but powerful demonstrations in cities across the U.S. Today, they have evolved into celebrations, but they continue to hold political weight.
In the years since the first Pride march in Los Angeles, the LGBTQ+ community has fought for and achieved a number of monumental victories: the decriminalization of homosexuality, the legalization of same-sex marriage, and the inclusion of LGBTQ+ rights in workplace protections. Yet, as seen in the current legislative climate, these rights are never guaranteed, and Pride remains an essential reminder of the work still to be done.
One of the most powerful moments of the 2025 parade came from the unexpected appearance of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who, via video message, shared her thoughts on the importance of Pride. “This is not just about looking back at the progress made but about pushing forward,” she said. “When one of us is threatened, we all are. We must continue to fight for our community.”
Conclusion: Celebrating Progress, Acknowledging Struggles
The 2025 LA Pride Parade was more than a celebration—it was a call to action. The parade, the festivals, the speeches, and the performances were a powerful reminder that while the LGBTQ+ community has made significant progress, there is still much work to be done. The future of Pride lies not only in joy and celebration but also in continued activism, advocacy, and solidarity.
As the sun set on the 55th Annual LA Pride Parade, the crowds began to disperse, but the energy and optimism that permeated the day lingered. The LGBTQ+ community remains a beacon of resilience, and events like LA Pride remind everyone that the fight for equality, love, and justice is unstoppable.
